Apparatus and methods for mitigating electromagnetic emissions

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with mitigation of magnetic fields are described herein. In an embodiment, a method for mitigating an electromagnetic field includes positioning a mitigating coil around a linear alternator of linear motor so that the mitigating coil is coaxially located with an alternator coil; arranging the mitigating coil to generate a field to mitigate an electromagnetic field generated by the alternator coil; and passing an induced current from the alternator coil through the mitigating coil.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods formitigating electromagnetic emissions, and, more particularly, toapparatus and methods for mitigating electromagnetic emissions generatedby a linear alternator or linear motor by superimposing a mitigationfield onto the linear alternator or motor.

BACKGROUND

Electrical power may be generated by a variety of technologiesimplementing a variety of physical principles. One physical principleused to generate power is electromagnetic induction. One implementationof electromagnetic induction is a linear alternator, which is typicallyarranged so that a permanent magnet oscillates linearly along thecentral axis of a wound wire coil to induce an electromotive force inthe wire coil. When connected to a load, the electrical current may beharnessed to provide electrical power. While linear alternators arepractical and efficient, such arrangements typically emit anelectromagnetic field that is generated by the magnets and coil of thelinear alternator. Depending on the implementation, externalelectromagnetic fields are undesirable because such fields create anundesirable environment. Specifically, electromagnetic fields mayinterfere with sensitive instrumentation situated near a linearalternator. Therefore, linear alternators are not practical forimplementations where electrical power generating equipment must belocated near instrumentation that is sensitive to electromagneticemissions.

In the prior art, shielding techniques have been used to limitinterference from electromagnetic fields. Such shielding techniquestypically include surrounding a linear alternator with metal sheeting orplating in an attempt to contain electromagnetic interference. Suchtechniques may substantially add to the weight of a linear alternatorand make the alternator impractical for weight sensitive applications.In addition, shielding techniques also may create thermal managementproblems for any equipment that is being shielded, along with anyequipment situated near the shielded equipment.

Because of the limitations of the prior art, there exists a need fornovel apparatus and methods for mitigating electromagnetic interferenceemitting from linear alternators.

SUMMARY

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with mitigation ofmagnetic fields are described herein. In an embodiment, a method formitigating an electromagnetic field includes positioning a mitigatingcoil around a linear alternator so that the mitigating coil is coaxiallylocated with an alternator coil; arranging the mitigating coil togenerate a bucking field to mitigate an electromagnetic field generatedby the alternator coil; and passing an induced current from thealternator coil through the mitigating coil.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the followingillustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a linear alternator;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a linear alternator coupled to adrive mechanism and equipped with a mitigating coil;

FIG. 3 is a chart plotting magnetic field versus polar angle, showingvarious contributions;

FIG. 4A is an equation for determining magnetic field for a point-likemagnetic dipole;

FIG. 4B is an equation for determining the magnitude of the magneticfield given in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an equation for determining the area density of turns in acoil;

FIG. 4D is an equation for determining the total magnetic moment of acoil; and

FIG. 4E is an equation for determining the radius of a representativeloop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is described with reference to theembodiments disclosed herein, it should be clear that the presentinvention should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore, thedescription of the embodiments herein is only illustrative of thepresent invention and should not limit the scope of the invention asclaimed.

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods forbalancing, counteracting, reducing, or otherwise mitigatingelectromagnetic field emissions or electromagnetic interferenceemanating from a linear alternator. In an embodiment, electromagneticinterference is mitigated by apparatus and methods that provide magneticmoment balancing. Magnetic moment balancing superimposes a mitigatingfield onto a linear alternator to at least partially cancel or mitigatethe electromagnetic field generated by the linear alternator. In anembodiment, a mitigating coil is wound around the linear alternator togenerate the mitigating field. The mitigating coil may be wound so thatthe mitigating coil and alternator coil are coaxially located. Inaddition, the mitigating coil may be arranged so that the electricalcurrent provided to the mitigating coil flows in the opposite directionof the electrical current generated in the alternator coil. In anembodiment, the mitigating coil may be connected to the alternator coilso that the electrical current generated in the alternator coil suppliesthe current to the mitigating coil. In one example, the alternator coilis connected in series to the mitigating coil.

As will be described in detail, apparatus and methods for mitigatingelectromagnetic fields generated by linear alternators may be applicableto especially solenoidal type linear alternators. The description hereinwill include, but not be limited to, specific examples of mitigation ofelectromagnetic fields generated by linear alternators that are oftenpositioned near sensitive equipment and are deployed in weight-sensitiveembodiments.

Reference will now be made to the figures in describing linearalternators and mitigating apparatus and methods for linear alternators.An exemplary embodiment of a linear alternator 10 is schematically shownin cross-section in FIG. 1. The alternator 10 includes a plunger 12arranged to move laterally along a line or path (indicated by referencecharacter A in FIG. 1). The plunger 12 includes at least one permanentmagnet 14 and a stem 16 extending from the plunger 12. As is furtherdescribed below, the plunger 12 is commonly equipped with a number ofpermanent magnets. The stem 16 is typically coupled to a mechanism fordriving or moving the plunger 12 laterally along the direction of path Aso that the magnet 14 also moves laterally parallel to path A. As willbe understood by those skilled in the art, the linear alternator 10 isshown schematically for clarity and simplicity and is representative ofa number of linear alternator arrangements of varying complexity. Forexample, although a single cylindrical magnet 14 is shown schematicallyin cross-section in FIG. 1, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that any number of magnets may be included in a linearalternator. In one embodiment, a plurality of magnets is positioned toform a generally continuous cylindrical or can-like structure around thestem 16. Each magnet may be arc shaped and be polarized radially so thatthe magnetic field emanating from the combined cylindrical magnetstructure is consistent along the outer surface of the cylindricalstructure of the magnets. The number of magnets and arrangement of suchmagnets may be determined by specific design of the linear alternator,specific use of the linear alternator, fabrication and manufacturingconstraints, and the like.

An alternator coil 18 is wound coaxially relative to the plunger 12 in agenerally solenoid structure so that a central axis B of the coil 18 isgenerally equidistant from each magnet or each portion of a singlecylindrical magnet 14. In an arrangement of a generally cylindricalmagnet structure, the coil 18 and cylindrical magnets may be coaxiallylocated. The linear alternator 10 further includes an inner stator 20and an outer stator 22. Again, the schematic figures illustrate a singleinner stator 20 and a single outer stator 22 for simplicity and clarity.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inner stator20 may have a generally cylindrical structure that is coaxially locatedwith the magnets 14 and alternator coil 18. Likewise, the outer stator22 may have a generally cylindrical structure that is coaxially locatedwith the magnets and alternator coil 18. In addition, the inner 20 andouter 22 stators may be comprised of a number of individual componentsjoined together to form a stator.

As the plunger 12 is oscillated laterally along path A, it will beunderstood that the magnet 14 also moves laterally with respect to thecentral axis B of the alternator coil 18. Such lateral movement causes amagnetic field generated by the magnet 14 (which radiates in thedirection of arrows C) to also cyclically link the coil 18 in oppositedirections. Such movement induces an electrical current in thealternator coil 18. When such an electrical current is generated, thecurrent may be harnessed to provide electrical power.

In one embodiment, the force to drive the linear movement of the plunger12 is provided by a Stirling engine. Such engines are described indetail in Stirling Engines by Graham Walker, published in 1980 by TheClarendon Press, Oxford. Generally, a Stirling engine operates on aStirling cycle, which is a closed thermodynamic cycle that uses theexpansion and contraction of gases to produce mechanical movement. Sucha cycle is thermodynamically efficient and is capable of practicalimplementations as an engine or power generator. One specificimplementation of a Stirling engine is an Advanced Stirling RadioisotopeGenerator (ASRG). Stirling engine driven linear alternators,specifically those utilized by ASRGs, are promising candidates forproviding electrical power for spacecrafts designed for deep spacemissions, such as missions to outer planets where the use of solarenergy is impractical. However, spacecrafts are typically designed toconserve space and weight. Therefore, equipment for spacecrafts is oftenplaced in close proximity to other equipment and is designed to minimizeweight. For an ASRG type linear alternator designed for a spacecraft,unmitigated electromagnetic interference emanating from the alternatorcoil may interfere with sensitive instrumentation. For example,spacecrafts often include instruments such as magnetometers for fieldmapping, which may malfunction or produce erroneous results if subjectedto electromagnetic interference. Techniques such as magnetic shieldingwould burden the spacecraft with excess weight, increasing the cost oflaunch and potentially limit the distance and duration that spacecraftcould travel. Therefore, ASRG type linear alternators would benefit fromnovel apparatus and methods for mitigating electromagnetic fieldsemanating from the alternator coil.

An exemplary embodiment of a system for mitigating electromagnetemissions is illustrated in FIG. 2. The drive mechanism or power source(shown as functional block 24) for driving the linear alternator 10 iscoupled to the plunger 12 to result in linear movement of the magnets 14of the linear alternator 10. A mitigating coil 26 is positioned outsideof the linear alternator 10 and is arranged to generate anelectromagnetic field to magnetically balance the moment or otherwisemitigate the magnetic field generated by the linear alternator coil 18.Such magnetic moment balancing may cancel at least part of theelectromagnetic field generated by the linear alternator coil 18 bysuperimposing a mitigating field onto the field generated by the linearalternator coil 18.

The arrangement and design of the mitigating coil 26 may be determinedfrom an understanding of the electromagnetic fields produced by theoscillating magnets 14 and alternator coil 18. For example, a number ofphysical variables for the mitigating coil 26 may be adjusted to createan effective mitigating field for a given arrangement of magnets andalternator coils. Examples of such variables are: the number of turns orwinds in the mitigating coil 26, the spacing between turns of themitigating coil 26, and the distance the mitigating coil 26 ispositioned from the linear alternator 10 or from the alternator coil 18(i.e., the radius of the mitigating coil 26). By adjusting suchvariables, the mitigating coil 26 may be arranged to effectively balanceor otherwise mitigate magnetic fields generated by many different linearalternator arrangements and configurations.

In one embodiment, the mitigating coil 26 is wound adjacent to the outersurface of the outer stator 22 and centered coaxially with respect tothe alternator coil 18. The current provided to the mitigating coil 26may flow in the opposite direction of the current generated in thealternator coil 18 to mitigate the electromagnetic field generated bythe linear alternator 10. In an embodiment, the current provided to themitigating coil 26 may be provided directly from the alternator coil 18by connecting the mitigating coil 26 and alternator coil 18 in series.Such an arrangement efficiently uses the current generated by the linearalternator 10 to mitigate the external AC magnetic field due to thealternator coil 18. The use of the current generated by the linearalternator 10 conserves power because there is only a relatively minorloss in power when the current is passed through the mitigating coil 26.Such a system may be substantially more energy efficient than providingan independent source of power to pass a current through the mitigatingcoil 26.

In one embodiment, the linear alternator 10 includes a single coil ofcopper wiring arranged as a solenoid 18 with a substantial gap 28between the stators 20, 22 to accept the linearly oscillating magnets14. The inner stator cylinder 20 is comprised of laminations to form alaminated and hollow inner core 30. When current is induced in thealternator coil 18, a magnetic flux emits from the alternator coil 18 ina generally toroidal shell pattern surrounding the alternator coil 18and passing through the hollow inner core 30 to complete the flux path.

In an embodiment, methods have been developed to determine an effectivephysical arrangement of a mitigating coil for a given arrangement oflinear alternator. For example, the number of turns or the radius of themitigating coil may be determined from mathematical modeling,experimentation, or a combination of mathematical modeling andexperimentation. In one embodiment, to determine a physical arrangementof a mitigating coil, it may be useful to determine how differentcomponents of the linear alternator contribute to the electromagneticfield generated by the linear alternator. For example, it may be shownthat in certain arrangements, that the load current in the alternatorcoil is responsible for the majority of the AC magnetic field detectedaway from the linear alternator. In such arrangements, the contributionof the stator lamination magnetic material to the alternating currentelectromagnet field detected away from the linear alternator may beconsiderably less than the contribution of the alternator coil to thealternating current electromagnetic field. FIG. 3 illustrates a chart ofmagnetic field strength versus the angle phi, where angle phi ismeasured from the line of symmetry of the linear oscillator, i.e., thelongitudinal axis passing through the hollow inner core. The magneticfield may be determined at a specific distance away from the center of asingle alternator arrangement such as, for example, one meter away fromthe center of the alternator coil.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, such an arrangement behaves close to dipolar,having maximum amplitude at the axis where phi equals zero. A firstcurve 40 plots the magnetic field for the alternator coil only, where asteady current of 10 amperes is passing through the coil. A second curve42 plots the magnetic field for the alternator coil and the statorlaminations, where a steady current of 10 amperes is passing through thecoil. In both the first 40 and second 42 curves, no magnet is in placein the alternator. A third curve 44 plots the magnetic field due to apoint-like magnetic moment of strength 1.297 A m² aligned with the lineof symmetry. The third curve may be derived through equations. From FIG.3, it may be seen that the far field of the alternator coil generallycoincides with the electromagnetic field of a point-like moment ofequivalent strength. The stator laminations under the influence of thefield of the alternator coil generally contributes a magnetic field thatis similar to the geometry of the dipole like field of the coil, whichresults in a total field of about 1.2 times the field of the coil alone.

Because the far field of the alternator coil generally coincides withthe electromagnetic field of a point-like moment of equivalent strength,the far field of the alternator coil may be approximated from equationsfor a magnetic field of a point-like dipole. Once the far field of thealternator coil is approximated, the mitigating coil may be arranged togenerate a balancing field to mitigate the field generated by thealternator coil. FIG. 4A, illustrates such an equation for calculatingthe magnetic field of a point-like dipole. The field of a physicallyfinite-sized dipole moment, such as the alternator coil, is asymptoticto that given by the equation of FIG. 4A, when the position vector islarge compared to the size of the coil. Starting from the equation ofFIG. 4A, the equation of FIG. 4B may be derived to determine themagnitude of the magnetic field, where N is the number of turns in acoil, I is the current in the coil, and A_(c) is the cross-sectionalarea of a circular loop representing the moment of the alternator coil.

The cross-sectional area A_(c) may be found by integrating theindividual moments of the current loops that comprise the alternatorcoil. Therefore, for a coil that extends from an inner radius r₁ to anouter radius r₂ and has length w, the area density of turns may becalculated by the equation illustrated in FIG. 4C, and the total momentmay be determined by the equation illustrated in FIG. 4D. Therefore, theradius r_(o) of a representative loop that balances or otherwisemitigates an alternator coil may be determined from the equation givenin FIG. 4E.

Experimental results conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center laboratoryfacilities show how the number of turns of a mitigating coil affects themitigation achieved by a mitigating coil. A Stirling engine drivenlinear alternator was equipped with a mitigation coil connected inseries with the alternator coil and the number of turns of themitigation coil was varied. The magnetic field measured one meter fromthe linear alternator showed that winding a mitigating coil 18 turnsabout the linear alternator reduced the axial electromagnetic field by52 percent; 19 turns reduced the field by 94 percent; and 20 turnsreduced the field by 87 percent. It will be understood by those skilledin the art that the optimal number of turns of a mitigation coil may bedetermined through experimental protocols such as detecting the magneticfield at a given distance away from a linear alternator while varyingthe number of turns in a mitigating coil. In addition, other variables,such as spacing between turns of the mitigating coil, may also beoptimized through such experimental protocols.

The invention has been described above and, obviously, modifications andalterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding ofthis specification. The claims as follows are intended to include allmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe claims or the equivalent thereof.

We claim:
 1. A electromagnetic field mitigation system comprising: alinear alternator or linear motor comprising: a magnet linearly movablealong a path; and an alternator coil positioned about the magnet andconfigured to generate an electromotive force, resulting in a firstmagnetic field; a mechanism coupled to the linear alternator or linearmotor to linearly oscillate the magnet along the path; and a mitigatingcoil positioned about the linear alternator or linear motor andconfigured to generate a second magnetic field, wherein the secondmagnetic field is configured to cancel out an externally emitted portionof the first magnetic field.
 2. The electromagnetic field mitigationsystem of claim 1, where the mitigation coil is connected in series withthe alternator coil.
 3. The electromagnetic field mitigation system ofclaim 1, where the mechanism is a Stirling engine.
 4. Theelectromagnetic field mitigation system of claim 3, where the Stirlingengine is an Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator.
 5. Theelectromagnetic field mitigation system of claim 1, where an electricalcurrent passing through the mitigation coil travels in a directionopposite of an electrical current passing through the alternator coil.6. The electromagnetic field mitigation system of claim 1, where thelinear alternator or linear motor includes a stator positioned betweenthe mitigation coil and the alternator coil.
 7. The electromagneticfield mitigation system of claim 6, where the mitigation coil isadjacent to an outer surface of the stator.
 8. The electromagnetic fieldmitigation system of claim 1, where the mitigation coil is positioned tobe coaxial with the alternator coil.